Google Ditches QR Codes - Should You?

I totally agree. I never did get into them.

I could not have said it better my self Jay, you are a smart man. Congrats on the new baby! biztag

I was thinking the Same thing.. wow.. Qr codes are big now..

I am seeing more and more QR codes in magazines.

I just started looking for these in December & January - very few in the magazines that my wife gets and none in the magazines that I subscribe to.

However, I have noticed more and more over the past few months.

This will be interesting to follow.

Lewis

Jay, Great post, the amount of companies that are using qr codes are too great to list. You have done a good job of touching the surface, with this post. Being in the software business for the last 10 years, I can say you are correct about qr codes not going away and NFC tags and the cost to deploy, etc. The Qr Code is simple, Globally recognized and affordable to integrate. bizTag.com offers you a mobile micro site, web 2.0 site and a Global 2D bar code tag; aka: qrtag / biztag- (a qr code tagged with a keyword) Please keep in mind that a NFC tag, yet handy in retail point of contact applications, are not useable with digital media, like t.v. or web casts, etc.. . If you understand marketing, then you know that businesses are always trying to "remote" market, up sell and/or cross sell products to consumers when they are not at the physical location of the retail establishment. Qr Tags enable businesses to reduce their retail and instore inventory footprint, run specific analytics on print media and point of contact advertising for defining their target market for Best ROI, provide a direct link to the check out page of the item being offered, immediate and efficient use for end users and their hand held computer/Smartphones (which spikes customer service, loyalty and negates abandonment rates) Take your online business mobile in minutes with bizTag.com - Turnkey Mobile-Web business solution.

I only heard about these a few days ago -- suddenly they seem to be everywhere.... for now at least.

Michael

I just knew what they looked like and that they had something to do with coupons

Great thread everyone!

The delay in the wide-acceptance of this technology is down to cell phone technology.

99% of cell phones world wide have SMS messaging capabilities.

But only 24% (?) of cell phones have digital imaging capabilities and Internet capabilities.

The QR Codes require the latter cell phone technology to be used. And since the market is still far short of its true potential, it is a market that will only grow as we go forward.



For those who believe that Google ditching the technology spells the end of the road for the technology, I guess you have missed all of Google's failures in the marketplace.

Google Video crashed, which forced Google to buy YouTube for billions.

Google Answers stopped answering questions.

Google Orkut -- the new FaceBook -- in Brazil only...

Google Audio Ads went silent...

More here: There’s No Success Like Failure: Google’s Biggest Product Flops

I will go on the record and say i am biased towards the use of QR codes - i have my own business that specializes in QR code marketing, and will be shortly offering the same services to the small business and other marketers so yes i have a vested interest in QR technology as well as perhaps a biased view.

However that said just like with any tool that is made available to marketers its a matter of thinking outside of the box that will separate you from the average joe on the street - the potential for QR codes is huge its your own ideas that limit what you can do with them...

scanning your screen with your phone may sound pointless but think about this

what would you think about scanning a qr code on your screen to:

1) point you to an app you can download on your phone?

2) make you aware of a mobile site that is informative or helpful for you

3) load contact information, directions, a coupon code, etc to your phone?

4) it bookmarks a site on your phone so as you can read it later when a computer isn't necessarily accessible? Gardening tips, cooking tips, shopping lists?

5) to minimize user error subscribing to a SMS/TXT message campaign, or to make a donation using their phone?

It comes down to what reason, and what purpose the QR codes are being used - but there are so many different uses its only you inability to think outside the box why you wouldn't want to use them both online and offline...

that's what makes us good money right now with QR codes - helping business and consumers embrace and connect by giving them useful and innovative qr code marketing ideas

hth

I agree. Just because G is not using them online does not end it. As has been pointed out, many companies are employing them. The uses as shown above are unlimited.

I've been working with our local Chamber of Commerce and have done exactly that! We developed a scavenger hunt around the various retail stores and used 'scanning a QR Code' as part of the challenges.

The local businesses love it because "the hunt" exposes them to all the participant's friends (typically 130+ per social network), and the participants love it because it's cool, fun and they win prizes for playing.

This scavenger hunt model has become popular with towns and cities looking to step up their local marketing game. And if you didn't get the hint, this is one way that I use QR Codes successfully

Thanks for the great reply Dave.

This.

I agree 100%. They probably crunched the numbers and didn't like the picture that they painted.Thankfully Google doesn't control the market.

At the end of the day people will always find ever more efficient ways of getting the info they need. The gold will flow to those of us that provide the solutions that the market desires. ;-)

what's sad about that? qr codes are a very effective form of marketing... non of my clients have sad faces and I certainly don't

Not good for him if the band goes arse up

I find this site useful:
QR Code and Two dimensional Bar Code News

i disagree... never limit thinking outside the box... as mentioned previously on this thread...

You can use QR codes online for:

1) point you to an app you can download on your phone?

2) direct you to a mobile site that is informative or helpful for you ie get directions on your phone

3) load contact information, coupon codes, etc to your phone?

4) it bookmarks a site on your phone so as you can read it later when a computer isn't necessarily accessible? Gardening tips, cooking tips, shopping lists?

5) to minimize user error subscribing to a SMS/TXT message campaign, or to make a donation using their phone?

theres plenty of other things you can do with QR codes online too...

I think Google is used to Internet speed
and so expected the QR code usage to rise faster.

Offline stuff takes ages - sometimes several years to catch on.
The rise in QR code use is continuing. Remember that many firms
will be arranging their print orders months in advance of when they come out.

Thats very different for the Internet publishing time lines.

Looks to me like QR code will be around for long time regardless of what big G does.



.

Software, and the library that it uses, can make a big difference, along with the phone that scans a code. The smartphone's OS and physical ability will help define a lot of what can and will take place. And lets not forget Orson Well's 1984, and Big Brother is watching you.

I have a pre-paid phone/plan, and the camera is a fixed-focus, not auto-focus, so it doesn't have the clear focus needed to scan UPC codes. It does scan QR codes - sometimes. I tried a half dozen versions of scanner software in the last 24 hours, and only two of those apps managed to scan a second bar-code, and all of them failed to scan the other 8 barcodes in my test. Of the two apps that managed to scan 20% of the test only one of them gave me a choice as to what to do with the data, while the other one wanted to connect to the software publisher's web site each time to present the data. As we can see from this limited test of mine hardware and software plays a large role in things.

The hardware and operating system (OS) that makes up the smartphone plays a large part of things. As noted above I got a cheap phone with a unlimited plan for cheap, yet good service. Because the phone is cheap, and based on Droid 2.3.5, the phone doesn't have an auto-focus built into it. This limits the scanning ability. I keep bluetooth turned off unless I want to exchange some info to help save battery life. I use a profile app to tell my phone to turn on or off GPS, Wi-Fi, and ringer, based on where I am - home, on the road, in an office, or even at church. The physical phone is well matched to the OS, and what it can or can't do.

To think that Google will develop an OS that integrates camera scanner software, and keeps the camera on, is scary. I have done away with a landline phone, and only use my cell phone for phone calls. To think that Google could be watching my actions in my bedroom is bothersome. And battery life would have to be much improved if you are going to keep the camera on all of the time. I would like to see something developed where the camera has hooks in the OS so you can pick and chose which app works best for you, and scan the daylights out of the stuff that interest you (i.e., coupons, scan to call, more info on-line, etc).

The pros and cons, as I see things, from an end-user's point of view:

Pros:
1) I don't have to type anything (think of the keyboard included on a smartphone, and trying to send a txt msg to a co-worker or significant other).

2) I don't have to try to use a browser to navigate to the information I want (again, trying to type with a keyboard on a smartphone can be very error prone, and then clicking on a link, uggghhhhhhhh!!!)

3) You already got my attention, and interest, so lets check things out now (yep, we are becoming a society of instant gratification)

Cons:
1) I have to find the right scanning app for my phone

2) Unless there is a tag-line under the QR Code, or the call to action makes it clear, I don't know quite what to expect (is my phone going to send a text message, call someone, or even open my web browser).

3) How much is it going to cost me? If I am not on an unlimited everything plan (i.e., BoostMobile's Unlimited Android plan) then I have to worry about cost per call/sms/KB to get the info

4) Is it printed clearly enough to be scanned? A large part of my test was using an industry tabloid that is distributed for free at news stands. The problem is that most of the companies that did include QR Code in their printed ad failed to account for the fact that newspaper paper is more absorbent than the coated paper used in glossy magazines, so the code is almost un-scannable by some (all?) phone/app combinations.

While the number of cons is greater than the number of pros, I don't think it outweighs the benefits to be had with QR Code, or other 2D codes. It is kind of like a hammer and screw driver - both can do their job well, you just have to know when to use which one to get the work done. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should, like hammer a screw in. And just because something is easier doesn't mean it is better (driving a nail vs. screwing a screw).

As someone else pointed out it doesn't have to be QR Code vs. NFC, they can co-exist, and complement each other. And you can throw in SMS as well if you want, if it is a short enough phone number and response code. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket, and look at other eggs as well.

Just my 2 cents (before adjusting for inflation and taxes).

Bottom line is if people don't get it or the difficulty level is above amoeba brain levels very often these things do not fly.

QR codes have been around a while and ordinary non marketer people I speak to sort of get it, but are not motivated enough to be excited by the technology.

QR could be killed off before it gets going when better and easier to use tech comes around.

Grahame

This is the best post here. CROSS PLATFORM! If a default reader is adopted (Even 1 per mobile OS), QR Codes will fly. If continued incompatibility reigns on, then no way. Think HD DVD. Blu-Ray sales took off when Toshiba bowed out. So, can iOS and Android monetize them? I think you can already count out Apple. But that's the only way they'll become as big as some of you think they will.

I'd like to add that the mention of big brands using them is meaningless to me. I've seen print ads that say go to the App store and download the free reader.....Then scan this code with it. They already lost me at having to go the App store.

Google could be all in on NFC which they appear to be. @NewParadigm, the younger generation will likely adopt it. Lives are built around their phones and they share everything to the Zuckerberg empire. They won't blink. The question is will people over 35 adopt it. Maybe not, but in 5 years they'll be 40 and advertisers won't care. SMS had the same kind of curve.

Check out Stampt. To me, that's the future of QR codes.

10
10

Edit

Excuse me for hijacking the thread..

OT: I love QR Codes and my clients love them also!

The implementation of QR codes is free? on what planet do you life, when you have to print new menu cards and business, you don´t have to pay anything right, its all free, right...

And why are you getting so personal with me, insulting me, making me look like an idiot? just because i don't agree with your dumb position (like free implementation of QR codes).... i am not going to stoop to your level, i have no desire to look like a though guy on a forum... Looks dumb to me, but that is how you roll i guess.

Good luck with your free QR codes, your clients will be gazillionairs very soon with a high quality consultant like yourself

Toedels

a quick addition from mashable .. Monmouth .. population 9700 .. posted by mashable to audience of 53,000 viewers ..

read the article: British Town Covers Landmarks With Wikipedia QR Codes

I'd say that was educating people and promoting the town to a good cause.

I agree with you, companies rather have opt out and therefor will go for it.

But QR codes are here to stay, same as personals, mentioning of urls in media, etc. Even do its opt in, there is a large room behind a small print that way so you can leverage your ads. This is the biggest advantage of QR. Also its easier to scan than to typ in a large url

And about the wifi... I think they will stop it in its tracks sooner than later considering all the major discussion going on about privacy and SPAM!!!

I wouldn't put my companies R&D money into that...:rolleyes:

I am not angry at all Bill, even after all your childish personal insults i am still not angry at you Bill...

I don't agree with you Bill that's all there is to it... QR codes are not a good investment for business owners, the ROI sucks because the general public have no clue of what they are...

I wish it was different, cus the technique is great for marketing, but it isn't so stop trying to sell it like it is, it makes you look stupid Bill

And for i forget Bill, when you offer these type of services to restaurants and bars they have to reprint the menu's again, and that Bill cost money, so maybe you should get your calculator and do the math yourself Bill

Have a good day Bill

Dave (the guy who is not angry at Bill)

Indeed.

Its not the tool that builds a great idea, but the one handling the tool

QR codes are to virtualize OFFLINE media not online media. not even to go to a mobile website, whats the use if you're on any kind of internet device? There are links for that!

I found them sellable as addon to offline ads, personals, etc Especially realastators like it in that concept. They put a QR code in their personal ads instead of a picture of the house they want to sell

Here you are again with your personal insults and racial comments about the people of the Hague, the evidence is clearly against you, is that why you get into the personal attacks against me Bill?

So sad to see you eat yourself up over this, just let it go, i have my point of view and you have yours, no need to stoop to personal insults... you're like a fundamentalist. LOL

Again about my research Bill, there is nothing flawed about it, i didn't go in with a negative attitude on the contrary.... I had some great idea's for the use of QR that is why i did my research in the first place... i really was hoping on a good result Bill.

But the results where not good Bill, i can't help it that people have no cleu of what QR codes are, i think it is really to bad because the things you can do with QR codes are endless Bill.

So again i didn't go in hoping for a negative outcome Bill, but the results are the results....